The Salvation Army Helps the Hurting in Greater New York

It’s the visible pain of a woman standing at a Salvation Army distribution site in Island Park on Long Island with her mother and dog, Baxter, in hand shivering. Shannon Foster said she moved into her new house in Island Park just three days before the Hurricane destroyed it. Shannon, tearing up, was there for dog food which she said was rapidly running out.

Then there’s Magalys Cuevas, who showed up for blankets and more of what The Salvation Army and EXTRA had dropped off. Said Magalys, “I have three children ages 2, 6 and 9 and it’s just so cold and dark at night in my house. Next week my children are supposed to return to school but I don’t know how that can happen the way we’re living.”

While these ladies were seeing what was available that they could use at home to meet their immediate needs…hosts from Extra, the nationally syndicated entertainment show, which airs on major market affiliates, including A.J. Calloway and Special correspondent Hilaria Baldwin, were unloading a tractor trailer full of water. But they didn’t just bring water, they partnered their corporate friends and with The Salvation Army to bring and distribute even more five truck loads of batteries, coats children’s books, socks, diapers and snack bars and so much more. They were at a location on Warwick Boulevard and Long Beach Road, across from the Village Hall of Island Park at noon today.

Not even a nor’easter can keep The Salvation Army, from not only providing some of the basic necessities for people , but maybe even more importantly, theses day, providing emotional and spiritual comfort for those who can break down at a moment’s notice.

Said Major Scott Kelly on Staten Island “It’s overwhelming feeling of frustration that’s probably the worst for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. I see that on people’s faces everyday. They just don’t know what to expect next.” What they can expect is The Salvation Army being there for them whether its serving food as it did again today at a location at 609 Midland Avenue from a canteen (Salvation Army mobile street-feeding unit) or the fact that The Salvation Army is just not leaving until the very last person is provided the services they need and that can take years. Approximately 10 to 12 Salvation Army personnel and volunteers were on site serving and providing cleaning supplies, baby care and hygiene products, and non-perishable foods.